Best New Restaurant in Broward County Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach 2014 - Hardy Park Bistro

Chef/owner Philip Darmon is an Australian native who spent the past decade traveling the globe, cooking for the rich and famous aboard luxury motor yachts. With a pedigree such as that, one would assume he'd be dishing out expensive but minuscule portions of caviar and foie gras to businessmen and local TV stars. Not so. During the day, he's plating up Nueske bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado sandwiches with fresh hand-cut fries ($11) for the populace, like you (although we wouldn't be surprised to hear he has some high-end clients visiting often). Tucked just off Andrews Avenue on a side street in Fort Lauderdale, this neighborhood restaurant offers world-class fare in a friendly and casual environment. Many of his dishes on the weekly changing menu have a strong Southeast Asian or Mediterranean influence. From Thai duck salad with soba noodles, cilantro, sesame, and soy ($13) to crisp-skinned salmon over sunchoke purée, chive oil, and salmon roe ($24), each dish here feels just as special as dining on a yacht — even if you can't afford to even step onboard one. And the wine list, curated with help from celebrity chef Angelo Elia, is just as exceptional.